Training Rates

4/16/2007

Besides launching millions of sit-ups, leg lifts and torso twists, the desire for a toned and taut physique has sold a long line of exercise devices of dubious worth. Countless inventions, such as vibrating belts and ''gut-busting'' contraptions, have claimed to miraculously tighten and tone our trouble spots.

But the miracles we were expecting never materialized, and our ''spots'' remained ''unreduced.'' What's wrong with spot reduction?

Where did we go wrong? In our efforts to tone our bodies we neglected the most important factor: fat. Exercises such as crunches or leg lifts improve the tone and endurance of the muscles, but they don't burn fat. When we do exercises that elevate the heart rate, such as bicycling, walking or aerobic dance, the body will draw upon its fat stores for energy.

Alternative solutions Eating a low-fat diet and following an exercise program that combines aerobic activity and strength training is the key to changing the shape of your body.

In addition to burning calories through aerobic activity, strength training will increase the amount of muscle, which burns even more calories. But many people shun the idea of intensive exercise, scared off by the idea of five-mile runs, barbells or aerobic classes.

Thankfully, any aerobic activity that elevates your heart rate can help you burn fat and take off unwanted pounds. Many experts recommend doing at least three sessions of 20 minutes of aerobic activity per week. Ideally, for long-term weight control, you should engage in at least four sessions per week, for 45 minutes each time.

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Time to remind, nag, prod and poke fun at the incorrect, the ill advised, the highly questionable, the outrageous, the contraindicated, the just plain dumb things that some people do at the gym. Introducing ExerciseNoNo.com, a new blog published as a companion to this website. It's the most comprehensive list available anywhere on the exercise, fitness and nutrition practices that you should avoid....and its growing!

Weight Loss Tip: The only way to lose weight is to have a calorie deficit.

Change your diet to take in less calories than your burn. increase exercise and lean muscle mass to burn more calories than you take in. Or, try a combination of these techniques.

Many supplements that claim to "raise your metabolism" are simply stimulants that raise your heart rate --- you may as well drink 6 cups of coffee, which you probably would not be willing to do. And supplements are not FDA approved. Guarana, for example, contains very high concentrations of caffeine and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity.

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Nutrition Recommendations for Athletes

"Protein recommendations for [male] endurance athletes are 1.2 g/kg body weight per day, whereas those for [male] resistance and strength trained athletes may be as high as 1.6 to 1.7 g/kg body weight per day...Little information is available regarding requirements of endurance athletes who are women [and] data on female strength athletes are not available. These recommended protein intakes can generally be met through diet alone, without the use of protein or amino acid supplements, if energy intake is adequate to maintain body weight." *"Data are not presently available...to suggest that athletes need a diet significantly different from that recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans...(55% to 58% of energy from carbohydrates, 12 to 15% of energy from protein and 25 to 30% of energy from fat)." * "Before exercise, a meal or snack should provide sufficient fluid to maintain hydration, be relatively low in fat and fiber...be relatively high in carbohydrate...be moderate in protein and be composed of foods familiar and well tolerated..." * "...Athletes should consume a mixed meal providing carbohydrates, protein and fat soon after a strenuous competition or training session." Source: Nutrition and Athletic Performance, Joint Position Statement by American College of Sports Medicine, American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada

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I have several different addresses to help people looking for a personal trainer in Manhattan or Brooklyn, New York find me. You may have reached me through any one of the following URLs:caryraffle.combrooklynpersonaltrainer.comwallstreetpersonaltrainer.com Welcome, I am happy to have you visit. I hope you find my blog about fitness, health and personal training helpful, and invite you to sign up for my newsletter to receive advance copies of the stories that will appear here. Feel free to email or call me with questions or suggestions for future articles.- Cary

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